May 11, 2009

Pole Weekend!

Although I am a traditionalist and still believe 11/11/11 is gimmicky, it does provide multiple levels of drama. Crowds are down from the 1960’s for qualifying, but the world has changed. I need to catch up on 13 hours of television programming that covered qualifications from start to finish on Versus. What I have seen thus far is great, including Jack Arute’s interview with Paul Tracy.

He seems ready and anxious to leave the past in the past and move forward, and I get the impression he knows his past attitude is probably the reason he does not have a full time ride. He would probably not even mention 2002 if others did not bring it up. He had a very pointed message for cart fans who have ‘dug in their heels’ in 1995: Move forward. There is no more ‘split.’ That is a classy stance.

For me, there were two great stories. The popular press will focus on Helio and his trials (literally) and tribulations. That doesn’t do it for me. He is talented and drives for Penske and has won the pole and the race before. Helio on the pole is not unexpected. The real feel good stories were Alex Lloyd and Scott Sharp.

Alex snuck it in on the first day, and Scott Sharp tried up until the very last second (literally) to sneak it in. Hard luck awards go to Dryer & Reinbold for the carnage they suffered. That is a team that does not need that kind of drama. Hopefully they can recover. Tomas Scheckter is still walking around, by the way. So is Buddy Rice. Hint hint.

Two people with visible ‘what the #*$@ is going on here’ looks on their faces all weekend were Ryan Hunter-Reay and Vitor Miera. It appears there may be something to the notion that Vision really ought to be just a one car team. Vitor looks like a guy who believes he has taken a step down.

This weekend was enjoyable from start to finish and featured many memorable moments. I cannot wait until next weekend.

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I too am liking Paul Tracy more these days. I hope KV and the Lizard can keep him in a car. Even the part of me that does not like him is glad he’s here. But I think it’s good to see him look forward, because as long as he does; he may still have a future in the sport.

The weekend was awesome. Pole day was cold and windy; beer cans sliding under our feet from the wind. But to get two days of dry weather in with a climate that has 5 days of the week expecting rain, it is awesome.

We can only hope this weekend allows us to fill the field. Getting Scott Sharp in was a must as he has AMLS duties next weekend.

Finally, Helio is a great guy who’s been through so much, and he’s liked by so many. But he really is a BAD AZZZ when it comes to driving. That is a great combination in growing the sport.